Whew.
I made it...
"Thanks, Grandpa."
I thanked the old man as I left Bianca's tent. I ignored the strange looks, walking as fast as I could back to the tent I was staying in.
It was already getting dark...
How lucky that the old man showed up when I woke up.
I probably would have forgotten his teachings without that. That rascal...
Once in the tent, he ran his hand over my head.
"Silly boy. What would you have done here without me?"
"Nonsense... Probably... Thank you, old man."
He looked at me for a moment, sighing...
There it was. His trademark...
"Damn... What's the need?"
... I pretended to be in pain from his slap, rubbing my head.
When would I ever have a hand that big?
"Need? I raised you to be better than that, kid. It's okay that you're needy, but what would you have done? Just blurted everything out? Without any strategy? Idiot."
I opened my mouth to say something but remained silent. I really had nothing to say, and excuses would only make him angrier.
He was kind of a jerk sometimes, but he was right.
I almost missed several opportunities now.
Well... it wasn't like I liked or used his tactics every day, so such a silly mistake was understandable, especially with my desire for some human warmth...
But that was no excuse.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa. I'll do it differently next time."
Grandpa liked my answer, giving me a hug and ruffling my nonexistent hair.
"All right. That's what I expect from my grandson. Don't let others take advantage of you. Your parents are enough."
"I understand..."
This was really a sensitive subject. It was my parents...
But...
My resentment was no longer a noise now.
"Good. I'm going now; your grandmother is waiting... We've been playing a lot these days."
You naughty old man. His mischievous smile showed how much he loved and enjoyed his games.
... How envious. It must be nice to be able to play so much.
"But grandmother is a very strong word, Grandpa. Ketlin is basically my age."
Cheating.
It's not nice to diminish your grandson's possibilities like that.
What will be left with old people like that in the world? Stay with people your own age, damn it...
"Ketlin? Who?"
... Seriously?
"You're already with someone else? It's only been three months since I saw you with her."
He paused for a moment. Totally thoughtful, as he ran his hands through his gray hair... Stylish.
Damn...
"Three? Hmm...
Oh, yeah, I remember. Yeah, it didn't work out. I'm dating a nice girl now, named Clara, only 19 years old. Your grandfather is awesome, right?"
...Only he would be proud of that.
Although I want to reach old age and be like that too.
But that's a long way off now, so I can be hypocritical...
"Is her mother single?"
"Ah, here you go again with your taste for old things..."
"Wrong. Old pots make good food, Grandma."
I disagreed immediately...
We laughed a little, for a few seconds, before he hugged me again.
I didn't say anything. Just watching...
The old man laughed again and left the tent.
When I blinked, I was alone again.
"It would be nice if you were really here, Grandpa..."
.
.
.
"What a stench..."
I was stinking. I don't know how no one commented on it.
Did someone give me a bath while I was recovering? It's a possibility. That must have temporarily masked the smell.
Thank you.
... But who was the idiot who gave me a bath in that state?
Well, it doesn't matter.
I need another bath anyway, but it's already nighttime...
I sigh. I was about to give up on the idea when a yellowish trail appeared. It was coming towards the tent...
I smile mischievously as an idea forms in my mind while wiping my eye, which are watering at the sight of her mana.
It was Lydia. She entered the tent carrying a tray of food, balancing everything carefully.
Truly an angel.
And, ironically, her hair and eyes really were golden. What a thing, right?
Genetics really is something very unfair.
But what is really fair?
... I kept my thoughts to myself, smiling at her.
"Lydia, my angel. You don't know how much I missed you."
I said, using a little bit of drama. That made her giggle.
"Is that for me? You really are the best."
I asked, even though I knew the answer, making room on the bed...
"Yeah. I thought you might be hungry..."
Look at that. I really wasn't lying when I said she was the best.
... Ahh, someone would end up taking advantage of her like that. Especially since she was only Rank D...
Her shy gaze, even when talking to a piece of trash. Honestly, the way things have been going for me lately, I wouldn't doubt her having some mental issues or just being a mean girl playing with me.
Damn it, Grandpa. You should have taught me what to do with a kind-hearted girl.
From the moment I woke up, she's been taking care of me. She even stood up to Bianca, and contrary to what Bianca thought happened, I didn't seduce anyone.
I wish I could seduce someone with a simple conversation...
Lydia just doesn't know the bad side of people.
Anyway, unlike what I expected, Lydia just put the tray on the bed and got ready to leave.
"Bye, Lucca..."
She said goodbye shyly, but I didn't let her go, holding her arm...
This scared her a little, so I let go immediately, saying:
"... Sorry. It's just that I'm feeling a little lonely and wanted you to keep me company, you know."
"Oh, of course."
She seemed to understand. A smile replaced her frightened expression as she sat down on the bed.
"You know. I expected you to refuse. Doing so much for a stranger... There really are good people like you."
Apparently... My sincerity affected her more than before, when she looked away. She didn't try to hide the little smile at my compliment.
I get it. Being sincere then...
Was that it? I was pure sincerity when I woke up and about my erection a few hours ago...
Strange girl...
"You know... You look beautiful like that. That smile..."
I smiled as I took her hand and placed it on my chest.
"Can you feel it?"
"... It's throbbing..."
'Yes'
I had no problem admitting that. Just as I had no problem admitting something else.
"... You want to know something?"
"What?"
She asked. Her expression was a little lost.
"I was tempted to take advantage of your kindness, but I can't. Ironically, I thought about it because of your kindness, but I also can't do it for exactly the same reason."
I was ready for the insults. To get beaten up or for her to run and warn the camp.
It was dangerous to do what I was doing now. I knew that, and I did it anyway.
But contrary to my expectations...
"It's okay."
She simply nodded and asked a question of her own.
"How would you do that?"
She seemed satisfied. Curious and full of... Expectations?!